INDEX OF NAVAL

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

HMS HERCULES

Light Fleet Carrier

currently INS Vikrant 1961-(India)2001

History

HMS Hercules was built by Vickers Armstrong, Newcastle. She was laid
down 12 October 1943 and launched 22 September 1945, and work suspended
May 1946 when almost 75% fitted out. Subsequently towed to Belfast and
completed by Harland & Wolff along similar lines to HMCS Bonaventure
with
an angled deck, steam catapult and landing mirrors which were all post
war developments for operating jet aircraft.

HMS Hercules was the fifth ship in a series of
six Majestic class light aircraft carriers built for the Royal Navy during
the Second World War. A class of quick-build carriers, they were intended
to challenge German and Japanese navies around the world. Ironically none
of them ever served in the RN. The war ended and work on all six ships
were stopped.

Hercules was laid up for 10 years before being purchased by India in
January 1957. Commissioned 4 March 1961 as INS Vikrant. Refitted for Sea
Harrier operation 1979-1982. In her 36 years of commission,
INS Vikrant steamed 4,99,066 nautical miles, the equivalent of 15 times
around the world. Decommissioned late 1997. Extant India and subject
to a campign to preserve her for posterity - the only Wartime constructed
British aircraft carrier to be under possible preservation (see INS
Vikrant website).

Battle HonoursNone in WWII

CaptainsNone in WWIICaptain Pritam Singh Mahindroo
(1961)

Squadrons and AircraftNone in WWII

Associations and ReunionsNo information

Carrier name

HMS Hercules. Sold as INS Vikrant 1957 (India)

Class

Majestic Class

Type

Light Fleet Aircraft Carrier

Ships in Class

Majestic, Terrible, Magnificent, Powerful, Leviathan, Hercules

Launched

Laid down October 1943. Launched September 1945. Laid up
till purchased by India in January 1957.Commissioned 4 March 1961.

Originally part of the Colossus class, these last six ships
were completed to a slightly modified design more suited to operating heavier
aircraft. None commissioned into the Royal Navy, all but one being sold.